Lehigh County DA: Boy admits to sexual assault in basement of Dieruff High School

A 15-year-old boy admitted to sexually assaulting a girl last month in the basement of Dieruff High School in Allentown, authorities said Wednesday.

Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin said the boy, who was initially charged with rape after the 16-year-old girl reported the attack May 18, admitted to one count of sexual assault during a hearing Wednesday in juvenile court.

A disposition hearing, similar to a sentencing in adult court, will be held on an undetermined date before Lehigh County Judge Kelly L. Banach, according to the news release issued by Martin's office.

Sexual assault is a second-degree felony. The boy was not identified by authorities because of his age.

Authorities said Assistant District Attorney Sarah Heimbach talked "at length" with the girl's family members, who agreed to the resolution in the case.

School district solicitor John Freund said Wednesday the district was conducting its own investigation that remains ongoing.

Freund said the district will "continue to ensure an educational environment where students feel safe from assault and harassment."

He declined further comment.

Twice last month the school district was stung by allegations of sexual assault involving students.

In early May, the family of a first-grade student filed a lawsuit that claims the boy was sexually assaulted in a bathroom at Allentown's Jefferson Elementary School. The suit alleges the May 2013 attack happened because school officials failed to follow rules put in place as part of a settlement over abuse at another elementary school a decade ago.

The suit also claims that the boy's mother complained to an assistant principal at Jefferson who resisted the mother's demand for an investigation. Although district officials later called police, records show the case was closed without an arrest, an attorney for the victim said.

In that case, Freund earlier told The Morning Call the incident was thoroughly investigated and properly handled.